Blue Monday, also known as the ‘most depressing day of the year’ occurs on the third Monday of January every year. Returning to work after Christmas, the dark cold mornings, and nights and still a week away from payday all contribute to many people’s low mood.

Mental health can be worse for many people during the winter months due to the short dark days and a lack of sunshine. In fact, 1 in 3 people in the UK suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, which often leads to low mood and lack of productivity. Those alarming statistics show just how important it is for individuals to prioritise their mental health.

Blue Monday falls onto Monday 20th January this year. To avoid the blues on this year’s Blue Monday, leading camera equipment insurer photoGuard has spoken out on the mental health benefits of photography.

Simon Bennett, Managing Director of photoGuard:

“When we struggle with our mental well-being, the creative arts can help to calm our busy minds, give us an outlet for our emotions, and provide us with a sensation of being able to do something for ourselves.”

Therapeutic photography allows people to use their photos for well-being or personal healing purposes. Photography has several therapeutic benefits linked to mental health, as it helps to showcase individual creativity, allows photographers to detach from their responsibilities and improves their mood.

Photography can relieve anxiety

The word "mindfulness" has been mentioned frequently over the past few years. The practice of consciously partaking in an activity can have similar benefits to meditation, which is what mindfulness is all about. Photography can be an act of mindfulness, when behind the camera, photographers can redirect their energy away from external concerns and solely focus on the moment and task at hand. After a photography session, individuals are likely to feel calmer and more present than prior to the session, which can be helpful when navigating through difficult situations.

Photography can boost confidence

When suffering from depression, anxiety, or any other mental health challenges, often it can have a negative effect on self-esteem. It can be difficult to find pride in activities that individuals enjoy, as sometimes even daily tasks like getting out of bed can seem impossible. In these moments, grabbing a camera and engaging in a photography session can be extremely valuable, as it can help address the feeling of being unable to accomplish anything. Seeing the results of the photographs can provide a boost in self-esteem and confidence.

“Make sure to review back your photos and feel proud of your accomplishments” adds Bennett.